NBAA Update Archive

Convention Special Edition, October 31, 2012

NBAA2012 NEWS

Trio of Tuskegee Airmen Recounts Trials and TriumphsIt's not often that civilians get an opportunity to express, face-to-face, their gratitude to those who defend the country. However, NBAA 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012) attendees got that opportunity on Oct. 31, as NBAA presented the Tuskegee Airmen, the elite group of World War II African-American fighter pilots, with its Meritorious Service to Aviation Award. The airmen "played a tremendous role in my life," said NBAA Board Member Lloyd "Fig" Newton, a session participant. "They gave me hope that the impossible was possible. They created an environment where we all can have dreams." Learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen.

Business Aviation Ready to Assist in Sandy Relief EffortsAs pounding rain and wind speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour heralded the arrival of "Superstorm" Sandy along the Eastern seaboard earlier this week, companies and operators participating in NBAA's Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database were already working with national emergency agencies and personnel to assist with post-storm relief efforts using business aircraft. The NBAA HERO database is a list of people and companies throughout the business aviation community who have volunteered to assist with disaster-response mobilization efforts. Read more about business aviation's humanitarian efforts.

Experts Offer Guidance for iPad Implementation in Your Flight OperationThe Apple iPad has undoubtedly found a home in many business aviation operations. The popular device makes it simple to make the move to a paperless cockpit, with apps for route planning, checking weather, viewing navigational charts and just about everything else. But using iPads in your flight operation involves more than just downloading some apps. A session on Oct. 30 at NBAA2012 titled "Training Solutions for Flight Deck iPad Implementation" stressed the importance of having a plan for training on the device. Learn more about the iPad session.

NBAA Announces Re-election of Moore, Newton to Board of DirectorsNBAA's Voting Members re-elected Lloyd "Fig" Newton and Scott A. Moore to the Association's Board of Directors during its 65th Annual Meeting held Oct. 31 at the Orange County Convention Center. "Both of these individuals have proved to be outstanding Board members, and we are happy to have them continue in this capacity," said Richard Shine, chairman of the NBAA Board of Directors and CEO and chief pilot of Manitoba Corporation. Read more about Moore and Newton.

Operating Environment in China Gradually ImprovingWhile flying to and within China still can be challenging, operators, regulators and service providers that met on Oct. 30 at NBAA2012 agreed that improvements in the operating environment are occurring, albeit slowly. Flight department managers whose aircraft frequently fly to China compared notes with service providers and other country experts. From a regulatory perspective, one of biggest issues for business aviation in China continues to be infrastructure, said Robyn Cicero, FAA foreign affairs specialist for Asia. Read more about business aviation in China.

Averting Shortage of Aviation Talent Requires Industry Support, CreativityFive years ago, experts called the coming shortage of trained aviation professionals "the greatest threat to aviation safety," but then the recession struck. "So the problem kind of went away for a while," said Sheryl Barden, president of Aviation Personnel International, in an NBAA2012 session on Oct. 31. "Many people still say, 'Will it ever really come to pass?'" "It will" was the consensus of a panel of flight department leaders and aviation educators, but only with support from the industry. Learn more about the aviation talent session.

Who's Exhibiting at NBAA2012? Companies Just Like YoursNBAA2012 provides one of the most efficient ways for companies to make the most of their marketing dollars in a challenging economic climate. Exhibitors meet face-to-face with colleagues and customers to cultivate existing relationships and build new ones – all in one place, saving them time and money. In several Exhibitor profiles, representatives of NBAA Member Companies explain in their own words why NBAA2012 was a must-have on their calendar this year. Review the Exhibitor profiles.

View and Share Your Favorite Scenes From the ConventionThroughout all three days of NBAA2012, the Association is posting photo galleries on a wide range of scenes from the Convention, from speakers and education sessions, to the exhibit booths and aircraft displays. Today's featured galleries include shots from the exhibit floor, and photos of every business aircraft appearing on two static displays at Orlando Executive Airport and the Orange County Convention Center. Plus, the gallery makes it easy to share your favorite images on Twitter and Pinterest. View the NBAA2012 photo galleries.

A new campaign from the Aviation Green Alliance created a series of five ads that will run in some of the industry’s most prominent publications over the next several months highlighting aviation’s efforts to improve the environment with winglet technology. Joe Clark of Aviation Partners Boeing, recipient of the Lindbergh Foundation 2012 Corporate Award for Balance, has been at the forefront of the new technology that reduces drag and increases fuel efficiency by as much as 7 percent. By 2014 Aviation Partners estimates its winglets will have saved the aviation industry more than five billion gallons of fuel. Watch the video.